Du Quoin summer meal program to begin June 1

Du Quoin Community Unit Community Unit District 300 will host its annual summer food service program from June 1 to July 28 at Du Quoin Elementary School and A.M.E. Zion Church.
The public is cordially invited to attend this free breakfast and lunch program for children ages 0 to 18. Meals are $1 for breakfast and $2 for lunch.
Breakfast will be served 8 to 9 a.m., and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More than 750 children in District 300 receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but many do not get enough to eat when school is out. This program ensures that both low-income as well as all other children continue to grow and learn during the summer.
The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the largest federal resource available for local programs that combine meal time with recreational and educational activities.
District 300 business manager Cory Robbins recognizes the success of the program in
Du Quoin.
"This has been a very successful program for the last 24 years, serving over 200 children a day breakfast and/or lunch," he said. "In my opinion, it's one of the most important things we do here in our district, and it's been a personal honor for me to have been involved with the program for the last 16 years."
Last year alone, Du Quoin served more than 7,250 free lunches and more than 3,000 free breakfasts.
"Our responsibility to kids doesn't end when school lets out," Robbins said.
"Children who get enough to eat and have safe activities to participate in during the summer are less likely to get into trouble," he added. "Our summer meals program is a building block in the community for healthy, happy kids who are ready to learn."
District food services supervisor Adam Fornear has been the program supervisor since 2008. District 300 cooks Missy Higgins, Danielle Swayne, Robert Manser, Kathleen Malinski and Brenda Ridgeway also serve as cooks during the summer.
Many of the summer activities held on the District 300 campuses -- including athletic camps, team workouts and other events -- can use the food program. To find out more, call Robbins at 618-542-3856.